“The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is also likely to issue the remaining visas soon. Discussions are on with the Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate 160 Afghan Sikhs on a special flight,” said Sahi, who is also the president of the World Punjabi Organization which supports Afghan refugee families in India.
He added. “The Taliban government is doing its best to restore the situation, but the attack caused more than 85% damage to the Gurdwara building, so it is likely that some Afghan Sikhs will stay back to repair the Gurdwara.”
A day after the attack on the Gurdwara in Kabul’s Gurdwara Karta Parwan, the cleaning of the premises has started. More than 80 percent damage to the inner parts of the gurudwara @indianexpress @iepunjab pic.twitter.com/p9tq9cvZ3o
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“It is heartbreaking to see some of the remaining Sikhs leaving Afghanistan after the bombings, ending a century-old legacy,” Sahni said.
On Saturday, unidentified gunmen opened fire on one of the main gurdwaras in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing two people and injuring at least three. The attack comes weeks after an Indian government delegation visited Kabul and met key leaders of the Taliban government – the first official visit to the country since August last year.
Following the death of 2 people in the Kabul Gurdwara attack yesterday, leaders of the Afghan Sikh community have received confirmation of the issuance of 111 visas for Afghan Sikhs wishing to visit India. Only 160 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are left in Afghanistan @indianexpress @iepunjab
— divya goel (@divya5521) June 19, 2022
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Around 25-30 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus gathered for ‘Sukhmani Sahib’ or morning prayers at Gurdwara Dashmesh Father Guru Gobind Singh Karta Parwan, the central gurdwara of the Afghan Sikh community in Kabul, when a group of gunmen were believed to be around. Four in number, stormed the gurdwara and opened fire.
Around 160 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are currently in Afghanistan and they are seeking immediate visa to evacuate India.